U.S. patent number 9,650,812 [Application Number 14/871,607] was granted by the patent office on 2017-05-16 for portable drawer and door lock for retrofit applications.
This patent grant is currently assigned to TriTeq Lock and Security, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is TriTeq Lock and Security, L.L.C.. Invention is credited to William Denison, James E. McLane.
United States Patent |
9,650,812 |
Denison , et al. |
May 16, 2017 |
Portable drawer and door lock for retrofit applications
Abstract
A lock for retrofitting onto a drawer or a door includes a
drawer having a front panel. The drawer slidingly engages an item
of furniture having a front face that is positioned above the front
panel when the drawer is closed. A bracket has a vertically
disposed flat front plate, a horizontally disposed flat top plate,
a vertically disposed fiat back plate, and a horizontally disposed
motor platform that extends horizontally into an interior of the
drawer. A motor having an output shaft is mounted on the motor
platform. A latch supported by the motor platform is engaged by the
output shaft. The latch is retracted when the drawer is unlocked
and is extended to engage an interior side of the front panel of
the furniture item when the drawer is locked.
Inventors: |
Denison; William (Lake Zurich,
IL), McLane; James E. (Tarpon Springs, FL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TriTeq Lock and Security, L.L.C. |
Elk Grove Village |
IL |
US |
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Assignee: |
TriTeq Lock and Security, LLC
(Elk Grove Village, IL)
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Family
ID: |
55166306 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/871,607 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2015 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20160024817 A1 |
Jan 28, 2016 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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14486473 |
Sep 15, 2014 |
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13398087 |
Sep 16, 2014 |
8833118 |
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61470716 |
Apr 1, 2011 |
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61443924 |
Feb 17, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
65/46 (20130101); E05B 47/0012 (20130101); E05B
47/026 (20130101); Y10T 70/7102 (20150401); Y10T
70/7113 (20150401); Y10T 70/8838 (20150401); E05B
2047/002 (20130101); Y10T 292/096 (20150401); E05B
2047/0023 (20130101); Y10T 70/5978 (20150401); Y10T
70/5111 (20150401); Y10T 70/8541 (20150401); E05B
2047/0091 (20130101); Y10T 70/7124 (20150401); Y10T
70/5133 (20150401); Y10T 70/5097 (20150401); Y10T
292/1021 (20150401); Y10T 70/5128 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
E05B
65/44 (20060101); E05B 73/00 (20060101); E05B
47/02 (20060101); E05B 65/46 (20170101); E05B
47/00 (20060101); E05C 1/08 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;70/278.7,374,451,461,257,277,279.1,280-282,77-88
;292/144,DIG.53,DIG.60,DIG.64 ;248/229.15,229.25,231.71,551-553
;312/215,222 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gall; Lloyd
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Riggs, Jr.; Charles T.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This nonprovisional patent application is a continuation-in-part of
pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/486,473 filed Sep. 15,
2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/398,087 filed Feb. 16, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,833,118 issued
Sep. 16, 2014, which claims priority to provisional patent
application No. 61/470,716, entitled "Universal Drawer And Door
Lock System That Clamps On By Tightening A Thumb Screw To Secure
And Does Not Damage Surface And Makes It Easy To Remove And Place
On Another Drawer," filed Apr. 1, 2011, and provisional patent
application No. 61/443,924, entitled "Drawer & Door Lock That
Clamps On By Tightening A Screw To Secure And Does Not Damage
Surface And Makes It Easy To Remove And Place On Another Drawer,"
tiled Feb. 17, 2011.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A locking mechanism comprising: a bracket having a front portion
defining a top front edge and a first plane, a back portion
defining a top back edge and a second plane, and a top portion
defining a third plane and connecting the top front edge of the
front portion and the top back edge of the back portion, wherein
the front portion, top portion and back portion of the bracket
define an empty space between the first plane and the second plane
beneath the third plane; a moveable latch and latch operator
disposed in a housing connected to the back portion of the bracket
and external of the empty space; a user interface operatively
disposed on the front portion of the bracket and external of the
empty space, wherein the user interface is in electrical
communication with the latch operator to control movement of the
latch.
2. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the empty space of the
bracket is adapted to receive and mount the bracket on an access
panel of an enclosure to be locked, wherein only the access panel
fills the empty space.
3. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein the user interface is
a keypad mounted to the front portion of the bracket, substantially
flush with an exterior face of the access panel.
4. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein the front portion of
the bracket is adapted to slidably overlie a section of a front
surface of the access panel, the top portion of the bracket is
adapted to slidably overlie a top edge of the access panel, and the
back portion of the bracket is adapted to slidably overlie a
section of an interior surface of the access panel.
5. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein the empty space is
unpenetrated except by the access panel when in place on the access
panel.
6. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein the bracket is adapted
to be freely movable on the access panel in an unsecured manner
while in use on the access panel.
7. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the housing is
adjustably mounted to the back portion of the bracket via an
adjustment bracket.
8. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the latch operator
comprises a latch actuator, control circuitry, and a power
supply.
9. A locking mechanism for retrofitting onto an openable enclosure
having at least one access panel and defining an interior and an
exterior, the locking mechanism comprising: a generally U-shaped
bracket having at least a first surface and a second surface,
wherein the generally U-shaped bracket defines a space adapted to
receive and freely mount the bracket on a top edge portion of the
access panel of the enclosure; a user interface operatively
positioned on the first surface of the bracket; and a moveable
latch and latch operator positioned in a housing connected to the
second surface of the bracket; wherein the user interface is in
electrical communication with the latch operator to control
movement of the latch between a locked position and an unlocked
position.
10. The locking mechanism of claim 9, wherein the space of the
bracket is adapted to receive and mount the bracket on an access
panel of a drawer or a door, wherein only the access panel fills
the space.
11. The locking mechanism of claim 9, wherein the first surface of
the bracket is adapted to slidably overlie a section of a front
surface of the access panel, and the second surface of the bracket
is adapted to slidably overlie a section of an interior surface of
the access panel.
12. The locking mechanism of claim 9, wherein the space is
unpenetrated except by the edge portion of the access panel when in
place on the access panel.
13. The locking mechanism of claim 9, wherein the bracket is
adapted to be freely movable on the edge portion of the access
panel in an unsecured manner while in use on the access panel.
14. The locking mechanism of claim 9, wherein the housing is
adjustably mounted to the second surface of the bracket via an
adjustment bracket.
15. The locking mechanism of claim 9, wherein the latch operator
comprises a latch actuator, control circuitry, and a power
supply.
16. A method for retrofitting a locking mechanism onto an openable
enclosure having at least one access panel and defining an interior
and an exterior, comprising the steps of: removably sliding a
generally U-shaped bracket, having a user interface operatively
positioned on a first surface of the bracket and a moveable latch
and latch operator positioned in a housing connected to a second
surface of the bracket, over a top edge portion of the access panel
of the enclosure; and controlling movement of the latch between a
locked position and an unlocked position via the user interface
communicating with the latch operator electronically.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the access panel is one of a
front panel of a drawer and a door.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first surface of the
bracket is adapted to slidably overlie a section of a front surface
of the access panel, and the second surface of the bracket is
adapted to slidably overlie a section of an interior surface of the
access panel.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the bracket defines an empty
space which is unpenetrated except by the edge portion of the
access panel when in place on the access panel.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the bracket is freely movable
on the edge portion of the access panel in an unsecured manner
while in use on the access panel.
21. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of removing
the bracket from the access panel solely by lifting the bracket,
and repeating the steps of claim 16 with respect to another access
panel.
22. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of
adjustably mounting the housing to the second surface of the
bracket via an adjustment bracket.
23. The method of claim 16, wherein the latch operator comprises a
latch actuator, control circuitry, and a power supply.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to locking devices. More specifically, it
relates to a lock that can be retrofit onto a door or drawer that
was manufactured without a lock.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Locks that can be added to a drawer or door are known, but they
require the use of tools and sometimes they require complex
assembly steps which might damage the cabinet such as drilling
holes, adding screws or other fastening means, and the like.
Accordingly, there is a need for a lock that can be retrofit onto a
drawer or door that does not require tools and which can be
attached to the door in the absence of assembly steps.
Such a lock would be useful for travelers who need to lock a drawer
in a hotel room, for example. It would also have utility in
non-travel applications as well, such as a need to lock a drawer in
a home.
However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the
present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary
skill in the field of this invention how the shortcomings of the
prior art could be overcome.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a portable
drawer and door lock for use in retrofit applications is now met by
a new, useful, and nonobvious invention.
The novel structure is a portable drawer or door lock that is
retrofit onto a drawer or a door. The novel lock is adapted to
releasably engage a front panel of a conventional drawer having a
vertical front panel. The drawer is adapted to slidingly engage an
item of furniture such as a cabinet having a front panel, said
cabinet front panel referred to hereinafter as a front face to
avoid confusion with the front panel of the drawer.
The lock includes a bracket having a vertically disposed flat front
plate adapted to overlie a predetermined section of the front
surface of the front panel of the drawer, a horizontally disposed
flat top plate adapted to overlie a horizontal top edge of the
front panel, and a vertically disposed flat back plate adapted to
overlie a predetermined section of an interior surface of the front
panel.
A latch is connected to the bracket and is disposed within an
interior of the drawer. The latch has a retracted position when the
drawer is unlocked and an extended position when the drawer is
locked. The latch substantially abuts the interior surface of the
front face of the cabinet when the latch is in its extended
position.
A latch actuator is connected to the bracket, is disposed within an
interior of the drawer, and is manually inoperable when the drawer
is closed.
A control device is in electrical communication with the latch
actuator. The latch actuator extends the latch upon receipt of an
"extend latch" signal from the control device and the actuator
retracts the latch upon receipt of a "retract latch" signal from
the control device.
The actuator may be provided in the form of a motor having an
output shaft. The latch is engaged by the output shaft so that
activation of the motor causes displacement of the latch from its
retracted position to its extended position or from its extended
position to its refracted position.
The actuator may also be provided in the form of an
electromechanical solenoid having an armature. The latch is engaged
by the armature so that activation of the solenoid causes
displacement of said latch from its retracted position to its
extended position or from its extended position to its retracted
position.
An opening is formed in the vertically disposed flat back plate of
the bracket and a thumb screw disposed in the opening engages the
vertically disposed flat back plate when tightened so that the said
bracket fits over the front panel and is secured thereto in the
absence of tools. Of course, the scope of this invention also
includes the use of screws or other fastening means that require
tools but such embodiments are not the preferred embodiments.
A spacer is disposed in surmounting relation to the latch and
releasably engages the latch in non-rotating relation thereto. The
spacer has a first part that engages the latch and a second part
that extends horizontally from the latch to an interior wall of the
front face of the cabinet when the latch and the interior wall of
the front face are horizontally spaced apart from one another.
In a preferred embodiment, the spacer has a "T"-shape and the latch
has a generally square transverse cross-section with a non-round
bore formed therein coincident with a longitudinal axis of the
latch. The first part of the spacer is a non-round rod that is
slideably received within the non-round bore in a first position
where a first edge of the spacer is aligned with a first sidewall
of the latch, the non-round rod also being slideably received
within the non-round bore in a second position where a second edge
of the spacer is aligned with a second sidewall of the latch, the
non-round rod also being slideably received within the non-round
bore in a third position where a third edge of the spacer is
aligned with a third sidewall of the latch, and the non-round rod
also being slideably received within the non-round bore in a fourth
position where a fourth edge of the spacer is aligned with a fourth
sidewall of the latch.
The motor may take the form of a linear motor that extend the latch
when operating in a first linear mode and retracts the latch when
operating in a second linear mode.
In another embodiment, the latch is internally threaded and an
externally threaded rod is secured to the output shaft of the motor
for conjoint rotation therewith. The externally threaded rod
engages internal threads formed in the latch so that the latch is
extended when the output shall rotates in a first direction and the
latch is retracted when the output shaft rotates in a second
direction opposite to the first direction.
In a further embodiment, a horizontally disposed platform is
connected to the vertically disposed flat back plate and extends
horizontally into an interior of the drawer for a predetermined
distance and the actuator is mounted on the horizontally disposed
platform.
A spring is preferably positioned between the motor platform and
the motor so that the motor is supported in a position of repose by
the spring when the spring is in its position of repose so that if
the latch is obstructed and cannot be extended into its
door-locking configuration, the motor is driven against the bias of
the spring so that the motor is not damaged.
In yet another embodiment, an externally threaded rod is secured to
the output shaft of the motor for conjoint rotation therewith. A
plurality of rack teeth is formed in the latch and a pinion gear is
disposed in meshing engagement with the rack teeth and the external
threads formed in the rod.
A control device sends "extend latch" and "retract latch" signals
in all embodiments. For example, when the latch actuator is a
solenoid, the latch is secured to the armature of the solenoid for
conjoint movement therewith and the armature extend and retracts to
"extend latch" and "retract latch" signals from the control
device.
The control device is mounted within a control housing that
includes a battery compartment. The control housing is mounted in
abutting relation to the exterior wall of the vertically disposed
front panel of the drawer, and includes a user interlace. In a
preferred embodiment, the user interlace is a keypad having a
plurality of keys. The control housing including a controller that
receives input from the keypad and produces output signals based
upon the input.
A "program set" button projects from an interior face of the
control housing and is biased so that it is depressed when the
control housing is placed into its operative position relative to
the front panel of the drawer and so that the "program set" button
returns to a position of repose when the control housing is removed
from the front panel.
In another latch arrangement, instead of extending from a retracted
position to an extended position by following a straight path of
travel, the lowermost end of the latch is secured to the output
shaft of the motor so that when the motor rotates ninety degrees
(90.degree.) in a first direction responsive to a "retract latch"
output signal from the control housing, the latch pivots about said
lowermost point and rotates from a vertical position to a
horizontal position, thus unlocking the drawer. The latch rotates
ninety degrees (90.degree.) about said lowermost point in a second
direction opposite to the first direction, i.e., from said
unlocked, horizontal position to its upright, vertical locked
position when the motor is activated by an "extend latch" output
signal from the control housing.
The bracket has a slightly different configuration when locking a
drawer having a front panel reinforced by a second panel that is
secured to an interior surface of the front panel. In that
environment, the bracket has a vertically disposed flat front plate
adapted to overlie a predetermined section of the front surface of
the front panel, a horizontally disposed flat top plate adapted to
overlie the horizontal top edge of the front panel, a vertically
disposed flat back plate adapted to overlie a predetermined extent
of a back surface of the front panel, a horizontally disposed flat
top plate adapted to overlie a horizontal top edge of the second
panel, and a vertically disposed flat back plate adapted to overlie
a predetermined extent of the interior surface of the second panel.
In all other respects, the novel lock has the same structure when
used with drawers having single panels or double panels.
When used to lock a door, the novel structure includes a bracket
having a flat front plate adapted to overlie a predetermined
section of a front surface of the door, a flat plate adapted to
overlie an edge of the door, and a flat back plate adapted to
overlie a predetermined extent of a back surface of the door. The
bracket is secured to the door as in the drawer embodiments and a
latch has a first position where it is retracted relative to the
bracket and a second position where it is extended relative to the
bracket as in the drawer embodiments. The latch engages a wall or a
door jamb when extended so that the door cannot be opened and the
latch does not engage a wall or door jamb when retracted so that
the door can be opened. The same structural details and means for
operating the latch as disclosed in connection with the drawer
embodiments apply as well to the door embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be
made to the following detailed description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a drawer of the type that can be
locked with the inventive structure;
FIG. 1B is a diagrammatic side elevational view of an exterior
drawer installed in a cabinet having a single lace;
FIG. 1C is a diagrammatic side elevational view of an exterior
drawer installed in a cabinet having a double face;
FIG. 1D is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a flush-mounted
drawer installed in a cabinet having a single face;
FIG. 1E is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a flush-mounted
drawer installed in a cabinet having a double face;
FIG. 2A is a side elevational view of a first embodiment with the
main lock body removed to simplify the drawing;
FIG. 2B is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2A but depicting
an alternate mounting of the motor;
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a first latch activation
means;
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a second latch activation
means;
FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a third latch activation
means;
FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of a latch spacer
means;
FIG. 6B is a top plan view of the spacer means of FIG. 6A;
FIG. 6C is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of a
latch spacer;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment where the drawer
front panel is reinforced by a second front panel secured to its
interior wall;
FIG. 8A is a side elevational view of an embodiment where the
drawer front panel is reinforced with a second panel secured to the
interior wall of the front panel and where there is one cabinet
face;
FIG. 8B is a side elevational view of an embodiment where the
drawer front panel is reinforced with a second panel secured to the
interior wall of the front panel and where there are two abutting
cabinet faces;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the
novel bracket;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the invention as a whole when
attached to a drawer;
FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of the control
circuitry;
FIG. 12A depicts a first orientation of the novel structure when
used on a door; and
FIG. 12B depicts a second orientation of the novel structure when
used on a door.
FIG. 13A is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the present disclosure having an internal enclosure, housing the
latch operating components, adjustably mounted on a bracket in a
upper vertical position.
FIG. 13B is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the present disclosure having an internal enclosure, houses the
latch operating components, adjustably mounted on a bracket in a
lower vertical position.
FIG. 14 is a back perspective view of the alternate embodiment of
FIG. 13B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1A depicts a conventional, prior art drawer as a whole by the
reference numeral 10. The front panel of drawer 10 is denoted 12.
The four sidewalls of drawer 10 are collectively denoted 11 and the
bottom wall of drawer 10 is denoted 11a. Sidewall 11 that abuts the
interior wall of front panel 12 is of course secured to said
interior wall.
There are two common types of drawers and two common types of
cabinets that slideably receive said drawers in well-known
ways.
The first type of drawer is an external drawer and is depicted in
FIGS. 1B and 1C. The second type of drawer is a flush-mounted
drawer and is depicted in FIGS. 1D and 1E.
The first type of cabinet has a single panel and is depicted in
FIGS. 1B and 1D. The second type of cabinet has a double panel and
is depicted in FIGS. 1C and 1E.
Thus it is understood that FIG. 1B depicts an external drawer
having front panel 12 that abuts single cabinet face 13a, FIG. 1C
depicts an external drawer having front panel 12 that abuts first
cabinet face 13a that is reinforced by second cabinet face 13b,
FIG. 1D depicts a flush mounted drawer having front panel 12
disposed in co-planar relationship with single cabinet face 13a,
and FIG. 1E depicts a flush-mounted drawer having front panel 12
disposed in co-planar relationship with single cabinet face 13a
that is reinforced by second cabinet face 13b.
A latch positioned so that it substantially abuts the interior
surface of cabinet face 13b in FIG. 1C will require an extension,
or spacer, in order to reach the interior surface of panel 13a in
the embodiment of FIG. 1B. The term "substantially abuts" includes
a physical touching as well as a closely spaced apart relationship
between an extended latch and the interior surface of a cabinet
face.
A latch that abuts the interior surface of cabinet face 13b in FIG.
1E will require an extension, or spacer, in order to reach the
interior surface of panel 13a in the embodiment of FIG. 1D.
In other words, in order to provide a locking mechanism that fits
almost all drawers, a latch is positioned a predetermined distance
from the interior side of front panel 12 of an externally-mounted
drawer 10 so that the latch will be flush with the interior surface
of cabinet face 13b when said latch is deployed, there being no
need for a spacer in that FIG. 1C configuration. Various spacer
means of differing lengths are provided to fill the space between
said latch at said predetermined distance and the interior surface
of cabinet face 13a or 13b in the configurations of FIGS. 1A, 1D,
and 1E.
FIG. 2A depicts an exterior drawer and a single cabinet face 13a as
diagrammatically depicted in FIG. 1B. Drawer 12 must be opened
before the novel retrofit lock, denoted 16 as a whole, can be
installed. Lock 16 includes bracket 18 and several parts that are
mounted to said bracket. Bracket 18 is a one-piece, i.e.,
integrally formed member in this embodiment.
More particularly, bracket 18 includes vertically disposed flat
front plate 20 that overlies in part the front, exterior surface of
front panel 12 of drawer 10, horizontally disposed flat top plate
22 that overlies the horizontal top edge of drawer front panel 12,
vertically disposed flat back plate 24 that overlies part of the
back or interior surface of front panel 12, horizontally disposed
platform 26 that extends horizontally into the interior of the
drawer for a predetermined distance, and vertically disposed wall
26a to which is mounted motor 28. Flat back plate 24 may be
lengthened to share a common vertical extent with flat trout plate
20 so that bracket 18 is even more snugly and stably secured to
front drawer panel 12.
In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, motor 28 is a linear motor that
extends and retracts latch 30 as indicated by double-headed
directional arrow 27. An opening is formed in platform 26 to enable
such extending and retracting of latch 30. Horizontally disposed
spacer 44 having flat wall 46 surmounts latch 30 and has an
extension 46c, hereinafter referred to as second arm 46c, that
abuts the interior surface of single cabinet face or wall 13a when
said latch is extended as depicted.
In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, drawer 10 is externally mounted and
the cabinet face includes first and second cabinet faces 13a and
13b as diagrammatically depicted in FIG. 1C. The motor-mounting
structure could be the same as that of FIG. 2A, with no spacer
being required if the combined thicknesses of cabinet faces 13a,
13b results in a flush contact with latch 30 when said latch is
extended.
However, in order to accommodate all configurations, the novel lock
assembly includes a spacer that can be rotated to provide a flush
surface when no extension is needed. In FIG. 2B where no extension
is needed, spacer 44 is rotated so that, its longest extension 46d,
hereinafter referred to as third arm 46d, extends away from cabinet
faces or walls 13a, 13b. This aligns spacer 44 in flush relation to
the interior surface of cabinet face or wall 13b as depicted.
Accordingly, both spacer 44 and latch 30 abut interior surface of
cabinet face or wall 13b.
FIG. 2B depicts a different structure from FIG. 2A just to indicate
that a wide variety of structural arrangements can be employed,
i.e., there is no requirement that motor 28 be secured to vertical
wall 26a as in FIG. 2A, or that motor 28 be a linear motor, for
example.
In FIG. 2B, motor 28 having output shaft 28a and latch 30 that
extends from and retracts into housing 30a are mounted on
horizontal motor platform 26. Latch 30 is depicted in its extended
drawer-locking position. When latch 30 is in a retracted
configuration, the drawer is unlocked, free to open and close.
Latch 30 extends upwardly when motor 28 receives an "extend latch"
signal so that the upper end of said latch is positioned behind
cabinet face 13b, thereby preventing opening of the drawer.
Latch 30 extends through an opening formed in secondary plate 32
that extends horizontally into the interior of the drawer in
parallel relation to motor platform 26 in vertically spaced
relation thereto. Secondary plate 32 provides support for latch 30
when said latch is in its extended position. Without secondary
plate 32, a user could pull on the drawer with great force and
perhaps cause latch 30 to bend away from cabinet panels 13a, 13b,
allowing the drawer to open.
There are numerous ways to extend and retract latch 30 and all of
said ways are within the scope of this invention. For example,
motor 28 could be provided in the form of a linear motor in linear
alignment with latch 30 as depleted in FIG. 2A as aforesaid and as
depicted in further detail in FIG. 3. Latch 30 in this embodiment
is internally threaded and said internal threads engage external
threads formed in rod 34 that is mounted to output shaft 28a for
conjoint rotation therewith. Accordingly, rotation of output shaft
28a in a first direction, responsive to a "lock drawer/extend
latch" signal, extends latch 30 and rotation of output shaft 28a in
a second direction opposite to said first direction, responsive to
an "unlock drawer/retract latch" signal, retracts said latch
30.
Spring 36 may be positioned between motor platform 26 and motor 28
as depicted in FIG. 3. Motor 28 is biased in an uplifted position
by said spring so that if latch 30 is obstructed and cannot be
extended into its door-locking configuration, the motor is driven
downwardly against the bias of spring 36 so that the motor is not
destroyed.
A rack and pinion arrangement is depicted in FIG. 4. Rack teeth 30a
are formed in latch 30 and said teeth are engaged by pinion gear 38
that engages external threads of helical gear 34, said gear
rotating conjointly with output shaft 28a. Motor 28 is
bi-directional in all embodiments.
In yet another embodiment, depicted in FIG. 5, solenoid 40 extends
and retracts latch 30 in response to "extend latch" and "refract
latch" signals.
No spacer is depicted In FIGS. 3-5 because said figures do not
include cabinet faces 13a, 13b but it should be understood that a
spacer is used in all embodiments, including flush-mounted
embodiments where the spacer is rotated into a non-operable
position as mentioned above in connection with FIG. 2B.
Spacer 44 is disclosed in greater detail in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Square
bore 42 is formed in latch 30, said bore being centered about the
longitudinal axis of symmetry of latch 30. Spacer device 44
includes a flat top plate and square peg 48 that is secured thereto
or formed integrally therewith in depending relation thereto. The
extent of square peg 48 is less than the extent of bore 42 and said
square peg can be easily inserted into and withdrawn from said
bore.
Flat top plate 46 is "T"-shaped and has first arm 46a having no
length so that it is flush with a first sidewall of latch 30, a
second arm 46b that extends three eighths of an inch (3/8'') beyond
a second sidewall of latch 30, a third arm 46c that extends five
eighths of an inch (5/8'') beyond a third sidewall of latch 30, and
a fourth arm 46d that extends one and three eighths of an inch
(13/8'') beyond a fourth sidewall of latch 30.
When exterior drawer 12 abuts the exterior surface of cabinet face
or wall 13a, as depicted in FIG. 1B, top plate 46 is rotated so
that third arm 46c is placed flush against said interior surface of
cabinet face or wall 13a as depicted in FIG. 2A.
When an exterior drawer abuts first panel face 13a which is
reinforced by second panel face 13b, as depicted in FIG. 1C, top
plate 46 is rotated so that first, flush edge 46a is placed flush
with the interior surface of panel 13b as depicted in FIG. 2B.
When a flush-mounted drawer is co-planar with cabinet lace 13a, as
depicted in FIG. 1D, top plate 46 is rotated so that fourth edge
46d is placed Hush against the interior surface of panel 13a as
depicted in FIG. 8A.
When a flush-mounted drawer 12 is co-planar with first cabinet face
or wail 13a which is reinforced by second cabinet face or wall 13b,
as depicted in FIG. 1E, top plate 46 is rotated so that third arm
46c is placed flush against the interior surface of cabinet face or
wall 13b as depicted in FIG. 8B.
In a less versatile alternative spacing means for accommodating
cabinet faces of varying thicknesses, right-angled spacers of
various sizes may be employed, one of such spacers being denoted 50
in FIG. 6C.
Vertical part 50a of said spacer is received in bore 42 formed in
latch 30 and the horizontal part extends beyond the sidewall of
latch to the nearest cabinet face by five-eighths of an inch
(5/8'') for a first spacer in the embodiment of FIG. 1B. No spacer
is needed for the flush embodiment of FIG. 1C. The provided spacer
is rotated one hundred eighty degrees (180.degree.) from the FIG.
6C position, i.e., spacer 44 in FIG. 6C extends to the right when
latch 30 is used in the FIG. 1C embodiment so that latch 30 may
abut the interior surface of cabinet face or wall 13b.
The horizontal part extends one and three-eighths of an inch
(13/8'') for a spacer in the embodiment of FIG. 1D.
The horizontal part extends five-eighths of an inch (5/8'') for a
spacer in the embodiment of FIG. 1E.
The structure of FIG. 7 is provided for drawers having a front
panel 12 that is reinforced with a second front panel. FIGS. 8A and
8B depict the second front panel 12a. The assembly of FIG. 8A is
provided when there is a single cabinet face 13a and the assembly
of FIG. 8B is provided when there is a double cabinet face 13a,
13b.
More particularly, bracket 18 in the embodiment of FIG. 7 includes
second horizontal section 22a that overlies the top wall of
reinforcing panel or wall 12a (FIGS. 8A and 8B) and it also
includes second vertical wall 24b that overlies the interior wall
of reinforcing panel or wall 12a. In all other respects, the
embodiment of FIG. 7 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2B and no
horizontal spacer is needed because latch 30 is positioned behind
reinforcing cabinet face or wall 13b when said latch is extended
with very little spacing between said latch 30 and said interior
wall or surface of said reinforcing cabinet face 13b. Accordingly,
the provided spacer is rotated so that first arm 46a is in its
flush position as mentioned above.
Electrical leads 29 provide electrical communication between motor
28 and a remote source of electrical power.
FIG. 7 also depicts internally threaded thumb screw-receiving
opening 25 formed in second vertical wall 24b. A user manually
tightens a thumb screw, not depicted, that engages said opening to
secure bracket 18 to drawer reinforcing panel or wall 12a.
The structure of FIG. 8A includes spacer 44 in surmounting relation
to latch 30 with fourth arm 46d in abutting relation to second
vertical wall 24a. Fourth arm 46d abuttingly engages the interior
surface of cabinet face or wall 13a when said latch is
extended.
The structure of FIG. 8B depicts third arm 46c in spaced apart
relation to second vertical wall 24a. Said FIG. 8B indicates that
said third arm 46c will be in abutting relation to the interior
surface of cabinet face or wall 13b when latch 30 is extended.
As best understood by comparing FIG. 7 with FIGS. 8A and 8B, motor
28 may be mounted on or under motor platform 26. If mounted below
said platform, an opening is formed in said platform to accommodate
latch 30.
Another embodiment of bracket 18 is depicted in FIG. 9. In this
embodiment, vertically disposed flat back plate 24 is thickened
near its lower end as at 24c to provide a clamping action that
engages drawer panel 12. This clamping action obviates the need for
thumb screw-receiving opening 25 but a thumb screw may still be
provided as an optional tightening means.
Motor mount bracket 52 is provided as a separate piece that
includes horizontal part 52a and vertical part 52b. Vertical part
52b overlies vertically disposed flat back plate 24b when bracket
18 is assembled. This increases the structural integrity of bracket
18. Opening 60a formed in bracket front wall 20 receives program
set button 60, disclosed below in connection with FIG. 11A.
FIG. 10 depicts the above-disclosed parts as well as the control
means that controls the operation of motor 28 and hence latch 30.
Control housing 54 includes battery compartment 56 which houses a
battery or batteries, not depicted, that are in electrical
communication with motor 28. Said control housing 54 is mounted to
vertically disposed flat front plate 20 and includes keypad 58. The
keypad includes a plurality of keys so that a predetermined number
of said keys must be pressed in a predetermined sequence in order
to lock or unlock the drawer. For example, a four digit code may be
required. Upon successful entry of a preselected code, the user
presses a key, such as center key 58a to lock the drawer, i.e., to
send an extend latch signal to motor 28. The same or a different
four digit code may be required to thereafter activate said key 58a
so that a retract latch signal may be sent to said motor.
A program set button 60 is also provided to activate the unit. It
projects towards front panel 12 from the interior face of control
housing 54 and is spring-loaded so that it is depressed when
control housing 54 is placed into its operative position relative
to said front panel as depicted in FIG. 10. It returns to its
position of repose when control housing 54 is removed from a
drawer, thereby saving battery life.
FIG. 10 also depicts yet another embodiment of a latch means. In
this embodiment, latch 30 has a horizontally extending slotted base
that extends into the interior of the drawer. A corresponding slot
is formed in motor mount platform 26 and screw 62 enables latch 30
to be tightened into any position of adjustment along the length of
said slot as indicated by double-headed directional arrow 64. Latch
30 is thus positioned further into the interior of the drawer when
an article of furniture such as a cabinet has a double face and
said latch is moved closer to the drawer front panel if the cabinet
has a single face and its position is also adjusted depending upon
whether drawer panel 12 is a single panel or includes reinforcement
panel 12a.
The output shaft of motor 28 may be adapted to rotate ninety
degrees (90.degree.) in a first direction when motor 28 is
activated by an extend latch signal and ninety degrees (90.degree.)
in a second direction opposite to said first direction when the
motor is activated by a retract latch signal. Such motion of latch
30 is indicated in FIG. 10 by double-headed directional arrow
65.
FIG. 11 is a schematic view depicting motor 28, battery compartment
56, keypad 58, lock button 58a, program set button 60, processor
66, and electrical leads 29 that provide electrical communication
between said parts.
FIGS. 12A and 12B depict the novel structure when used on a door
that swings about a vertical axis. Door 70 may be mounted in a
floor-supported, upstanding cabinet 71 and connected to said
cabinet by vertically positioned hinges 72 so that door 70 swings
about said hinges in a horizontal plane when opened and closed. The
door may swing inwardly or outwardly. Doorknob 74 operates in the
conventional way.
Instead of a cabinet frame, the latch of the novel structure may
also engage a door jamb or wall when extended.
The structure of the invention is not changed when the novel
structure is used on a door instead of a drawer. Nor does the
structure change when the latch engages a door jamb or a wall as
distinguished from a cabinet face.
For example, the drawer-locking bracket having a vertically
disposed flat front plate adapted to overlie a predetermined
section of the front surface of a front panel, a horizontally
disposed flat top plate adapted to overlie a horizontal top edge of
said front panel, and a vertically disposed flat back plate adapted
to overlie a predetermined section of an interior surface of the
single front panel, is the same bracket even when oriented for use
on a door so that a horizontal surface becomes a vertical
surface.
In an alternate embodiment shown, in FIG. 13A, 13B and 14, the
components for operating the latch, i.e., the latch operator,
comprise the latch actuator, control circuitry or electronics
including a processor, and a power supply or one or more batteries
are located in an enclosure or housing 55 attached to the bracket
18 on the inside of the drawer or door, instead of in a control
housing on the outside of the drawer or door as illustrated in FIG.
10. As such, only the user interface or keypad used to signal or
activate the latch operator remains mounted to the front plate of
the bracket 18. The keypad is operatively connected to the latch
operator in the enclosure via a keypad cable running along the
bracket 18 from the keypad to remote power contacts in the
enclosure. This configuration allows the external profile of the
drawer lock, i.e., the portion of the drawer lock on the exterior
of the drawer or door to be significantly smaller, as the
relatively flat keypad shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B is mounted
substantially flush with the exterior lace of the drawer or door
when the bracket is positioned on the drawer or door. In a
preferred embodiment, the keypad is less than one inch in width,
and more preferably approximately one half inch in width.
Additionally, the enclosure located on the interior side of the
drawer or door is adjustably mounted to bracket 18 whereby this
internal enclosure which houses the latch and latch operator is
adjustable to move vertically. FIG. 13A illustrates the enclosure
adjusted to its highest vertical position relative to bracket 18.
FIG. 13B illustrates the enclosure adjusted to its lowest vertical
position relative to bracket 18. Adjustment is made via an
adjustment bracket 19 suitably attached to bracket 18 or formed
integral therewith. As can be seen, adjustment bracket 19 is an
elongated bracket having a plurality of vertically aligned mounting
holes. The enclosure may be fastened to the adjustment bracket in
any one of the mounting holes, for example, via a screw, at any
desired height or position along the vertically aligned mounting
holes so as to adjust the height of the enclosure relative to the
brackets 18 and 19. In this manner, flexibility in positioning the
enclosure within the interior dimensions of the drawer or cabinet
can be achieved for proper fit therein. This adjustability allows
the drawer lock to better lit inside a variety of differently sized
and shaped drawers and cabinets. Additionally, adjustability in
mounting the enclosure in a horizontal direction, or in any desired
direction is foreseen as well, and can be achieved by modifying the
adjustment bracket 19 accordingly.
It will be seen that the advantages set forth above, and those made
apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained.
Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without
departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all
matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense.
* * * * *